Most of the school aged kids in our cluster are either back in school or will be returning soon.  This will mean changes to the au pair schedule and possibly to the duties.  It is very important to communicate these changes to avoid problems.

I suggest you discuss the following with your host family

• Au pair’s work schedule
• The children’s school and activity schedules
• Where the children get dropped off and picked up and who will be doing this
• What to do if a child is staying home sick, late to school, does not get off the bus (if they are supposed to)
• How to tell if school has been cancelled or delayed for bad weather
• What to pack for lunch
• The routine after school (do they have free time before starting homework, what to give for snack, any chores, where do they put their backpacks & lunchboxes)
• How to communicate about what’s going on at school.